10 easy ways to clean & speed up your computer
If your computer is more than a year or two, its basic functions might be slowing down. There are several reasons for this, but the good news is that some of these factors can be mitigated or even prevented. Let us walk you through some easy tips and tricks to make your computer faster!
1. Organize Desktop Icons
By categorizing desktop icons into folders, you don’t only clean up your background, but also cut down on your device’s RAM usage as each time your computer turns on, it must load each individual icon. By organizing your desktop icons your computer only needs to load a few folders, significantly decreasing the RAM space used.
2. Remove Unused Languages
A simple way to free up computer operating space is to remove unused languages. While it’s easy to do this manually, we recommend you install a program or application to do this for you when using a MacBook. MacFlyPro, for example, also detects and removes the localization files in your operating system and third-party apps.
When using a Windows computer, the process can be completed manually. Open the Settings app > Time & Language > Language > Windows Display Language > Select the language of your choice and set it as the default language. To free up space on your device, you click on remove a language to delete the remaining languages.
3. Move Old Pictures & Videos To The Cloud Or An External Drive
Keeping old pictures, videos or files in the cloud or on an external drive is a nice way to free up a lot of memory space and speed up your computer. But, admit it, you wouldn’t want to lose these precious memories for any money in the world. Imagine your computer crashing… Bye bye, old facility pictures… Well, not anymore! Two birds with one stone!
4. Delete large/unnecessary files
Temporary files that were used in an installation process, caches and cookies from the internet can take up a lot of space on your hard disk. To free up some space, it might be wise to remove large, unnecessary files. On Mac, we recommend downloading CCleaner to find and delete all temporary files. When using a Windows computer click Start > All programs > Accessories > System tools > Disk clean up.
5. Launch Software Updates When Available
Software updates will fix bugs and glitches that make your computer run slow. To check if your current software is up to date on Windows, click on the Start button > All programs > Windows update > Check for updates. On Mac, go to apps under the Apple icon menu and click on About this Mac.
6. Prevent Programs From Automatically Running
While some programs, such as antivirus or firewall software, should be allowed to run automatically, other applications, such as Microsoft Office, can be closed until you actually need them. Unneeded applications that are automatically running in the background and are thereby using your computer’s memory is one of the main reasons for computers running slowly.
7. Shut Down & Restart Regularly
A common mistake is leaving the computer on in hibernating mode when not using it instead of shutting it down completely. It may seem convenient as this way you don’t have to go through the entire startup process when opening your computer. However, shutting your computer down completely allows it to clear temporary files and start fresh. Something worth considering, right?
8. Change Your Power Plan
Usually, computers have different power plans to control how they use power. When your computer is running slow, it can often mean that the device is running on low performance or save battery mode. Changing your power plan to high performance will increase the speed and performance of your computer.
To change the power plan on Mac, click on the Apple icon in the top left corner > System preferences > Energy saver > Check ‘restart automatically if the computer freezes’ and ‘put the hard disk to sleep when possible’. When using Windows, go to the Control panel > Power options > Select the needed power to optimize performance. High performance is recommended.
9. Add More RAM If Needed
RAM is temporary storage memory used by your computer to run programs and take action. The more programs that are being used, the more RAM is required. When processing large files, performing multiple actions at once or working in different programs, your computer may slow down if there isn’t enough RAM. But how to check if your current RAM memory is meeting your needs?
On Mac, open the Activity monitor by selecting Library > Applications > Utilities > System memory. If the pie chart is mostly green and blue, there is no need to worry. If it’s mostly yellow and red, it might be a good idea to add some additional RAM.
On Windows, initialize the Windows task manager by pressing ctrl + alt + delete > Select the performance tab > Go to physical memory > If less than 25% of your total MB is available, you should consider adding RAM either by buying an extra memory stick or buying a completely new RAM.
10. Check Your Hard Disk Space
The rule of thumb? Keep 15% of your hard disk free otherwise your computer could slow down. When your hard disk is almost full, apply tips two and three to free up some space. If your computer is still running slowly afterwards, you might be experiencing issues with your operating system.